Bicycle



(No Model.)

' 0. HANSON.

BICYCLE.

No. 459,003. Patented sept. 8, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLAUS l-IANSON, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OE PART TO JOSEPH L. YOST, OESAME PLACE, AND HARRY A. LOZIER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,003, datedSeptember 8, 1891.

Application led December 8,1890. Serial 110.373,937. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, OLAUS HANsON, of Toledo, county of Lucas, and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ChainAdjustments for Bicycles; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference beinghadtotheaccompanying drawings, and to the figuresof reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a chain adjustment for bicycles, having especialreference to that class of bicycles in which the propulsion is effectedthrough the medium of a chain.

The object of lthe invention is to provide simple and efficient meansfor adjusting the tension of the chain.

A further object is to provide an adjusting mechanism that shall beinexpensive of construction, positive in its adjustment, noiseless inoperation, and so located and concealed that it will not affect theappearance of the bicycle.

The invention consists in the parts and combination of parts hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a Safety bicycleconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectionaldetail of a sufii cient portion of the frame to illustrate my invention.

lleretofore the mechanism employed for adjusting the chain has not onlybeen expensive, but inconvenient of access, thereby rendering itdifficult to adjust the same. I have overcome these obj ections byjournaling the cran kshaft in a pivoted adjustingdever, actuated by atransverse screw, by which the lever is moved to increase or diminishthe tension of the chain by the forward or backward movement of thecrank-shaft and sprocket-wheel thereon.

1 designates the i'orlc, 2 the backbone, and 3 the saddle-post, whichmay be of the usual or any preferred form of construction.

a designates a coupling for securing the rear fork, backbone, andsaddlepost rigidly together, the coupling being formed with areetangular chamber 5 of a width and height to accommodate anadjusting-lever G, pivotally secured to the frame at 7, the lower endextending su fiiciently below the main frame to receive the crank-shaftS, which is journaled in a sleeve-bearing 9, secured in an opening inlever G. The upper end of lever G projects some distance above the pivotand is formed with a screw-threaded perforation 11, extending throughthe lever at right angles to the pivot, there being a screw-threadedbolt 12 passed through elongated openings 13, formed in the coupling,and also passing through the screw-threaded perforation 11 of theadjusting-lever 6. Bolt 12 is formed with a head 14, adapted to receivea wrench or other means for turning the bolt, the opposite end having` anut 15 run thereon, there being a Washer 16 interposed between the head14 and the outer side of the coupling, this arrangement not onlyallowing the bolt to turn in the washers without affecting the positionof the nut, but also permitting the bolt to move in the openings 13 asthe upper end of the lever G moves in the arc of the circle, when movedto increase or diminish the tension upon the chain.

1S designates the front sprocket or chain wheel secured upon shaft S,there being a sprocket 19 upon the rear axle, the two being connected bythe endless chain 2O in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description the operation will be apparent. `IVhen itis desired to cause greater tension upon chain 20, the bolt is turned tocause the upper end of lever (5 to move toward the head of the bolt.This throws the lower end, and consequently the crank-shaft andsprocket-wheel 18, in the opposite direction, thereby increasing thetension upon the chain. By turning bolt 12 in an opposite direction areverse movement of lever G is effected and the tension upon the chainis relaxed. By the arrangement described the adjustment is positive andwithout the possibility of disarrangement, jar, or rattling of theparts.

lVhile I have described preferred means of moving the crank-shaft andsprocket wheel to effect the tension of the chain, I wish it IOOunderstood that I may vary the means herein described Without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

As an illustration of one modification, I may dispense With the threadedperforation ll in lever 6 and the threaded bolt l2 and substitutetherefor' set-screws upon each side of lever (i. In this arrangement theopenings 13 would be circular and screw-threaded to receive thescrew-threaded set-screws, and in some constructions I may use but onesetscreW tapped through the front side ofthe coupling and bearing uponthe front edge of the lever, thereby normally causing tension When urgedagainst the lever and relaxing tension when being Withdrawn.

What I claim isl. In a'bicycle, a chambered coupling, to which aresecured the backbone, rear fork, and saddle-post, in combination with alever pivoted Within the chamber, a crank-shaftjournaled in the lever,and means for rocking the lever on its pivot.

2. In a bicycle, a chambered coupling, to

which are secured the backbone,rearfork,and saddle-post, in combinationyWith a lever pivoted Within the chamber, a crank-shaft journaled in thelever, a sprooketwheel on the shaft, and a threaded bolt engaging thesaid lever to rock it upon its pivot.

3. In a bicycle, a chambered coupling, to which are secured thebackbone, rear fork, and saddle-post, in combination with a leverpivoted within the chamber, a crank-shaft journaled in the lever, asprocket-Wheel on the shaft, a threaded bolt extending through the leverand the coupling, a nut engaging the threaded end of the bolt, andWashers interposed between the head of the bolt`and the nut and bearingagainst the outer surface of the ends of the coupling.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby affix mysignature in presence of two Witnesses.

OLAUS I-IANSON'.

IVitnesses:

WILLIAM WEBSTER, CHARLEs J. MOORE.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 459,003, grantedSeptember 8, 1891, for an improvement in Bieyc1es, was erroneouslyissued to the inventor 01ans Hanson, and Joseph L. Yost and Harry A.Lozier, las joint owners ot' said invention; Whereas the patent shouldhave been granted to said Joseph L. Yos'cmd Harry A; Lozer as owners ofthe entire interest as shown by the assignments of record in the PatentOffice; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thiscorrection therein that the saine may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed, oonntersigned, and sealed this 13th day of October,A. D. 1891.

[SEAL] Y CYRUS BUSSEY,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned:

W. E. SiMoNDs,

Ooimmssz'oner of Patents.

